King of the English from 955 to 957 and ruler of Wessex and Kent from 957 to 959. The eldest son of King Edmund I (ruled 939-946) and the nephew of King Eadred (ruled 946-955), he was probably no more than 15 years old at the time of his accession.

Early historical sources are biased against Eadwig. According to one writer, he hated the great monastic reformer Dunstan because he made Eadwig return to his coronation feast which he had left in order to visit Aelfgifu, whom he later married. Although Eadwig drove Dunstan into exile, he evidently did not attempt to halt the monastic revival that the churchman had inspired. In 957 the Mercians and Northumbrians revolted and proclaimed Eadwig's brother Edgar as their king. For the next two years Eadwig controlled only the region south of the Thames.